Fashion
Somizi Mhlongo Dresses Mzansi Stars at the 31st South African Music Awards
Somizi Mhlongo used the 31st South African Music Awards to make a visible case for his growing presence in fashion, dressing several of the night’s performers and placing his designs firmly on one of the country’s most watched red carpets. Through his label, Sompire Femme, he styled artists including Zee Nxumalo, Makhadzi and Naledi Aphiwe, ensuring his work was part of the visual record of the evening, not just a footnote to it.
Makhadzi – Instagram
Held at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg, SAMA31 offered a platform where performance, image and branding intersect. Somizi’s designs leaned into strong colour choices and structured silhouettes suited to stage and red-carpet demands. Zee Nxumalo appeared in a deep-toned gown that balanced drama with restraint, while Makhadzi’s white ensemble leaned into her established performance identity without overwhelming it. Naledi Aphiwe’s look followed a similar approach, prioritising presence and fit over excess detailing.
This appearance builds on Somizi’s recent pivot into fashion, following formal training and a steady run of custom designs for public figures. Rather than presenting a full collection, the awards allowed him to show how his work functions in real, high-pressure settings where movement, lighting and camera angles matter. That practicality was central to how the designs were received.
Naledi Aphiwe – Instagram
Online reaction reflected both interest and scrutiny. While many praised the visibility of a locally trained designer dressing headline performers, some commentary focused on construction and finishing, highlighting the level of detail expected on a stage of this scale. The discussion, which played out across social media and post-event coverage, pointed to a broader conversation about celebrity designers and the standards applied to them.
Zee Nxumalo – Instagram
For Somizi, the SAMA moment was less about spectacle and more about positioning. Dressing multiple artists at a single, nationally televised event placed his label in front of an audience that extends beyond fashion insiders. The challenge now is consistency: translating attention into sustained output and refining a clear design direction beyond custom red-carpet work.
Awards ceremonies in South Africa have increasingly become testing grounds for local designers, offering exposure that traditional runways often cannot. Somizi’s contribution at SAMA31 fits squarely into that shift. He secured visibility, sparked discussion and demonstrated intent. What follows will determine whether this moment stands as a highlight or the foundation for something longer-lasting.
